I started my trip to Asia in November 2015; I was given the challenge to travel around Asia for at least six months. I never thought of moving for such a long time, I’ve always been a person who likes the quietness of his life in his country with work, family, and friends who will always be there for him. So leaving this comfortable situation in which I had lived for many years, was the challenge.

When I accepted, I started doubting because I was not sure about living a life full of uncertainty in which I did not know what could happen. This was before I had a dream which told me I had to travel to venture far from home, so I woke up in the morning and no longer thought anymore. I just packed and grabbed my backpack, my dream and started this adventure which, I can say today, is one of the most challenging and beautiful stories I could have begun.

This new challenge began in Chiang Mai (Thailand), where I stayed for six weeks. I couldn’t feel more comfortable in a city where people are lovely and greeting you with kindness. They meet you on the street and want to know more about you, always trying to communicate with you despite the barriers of the language, pulling out their phone to take a picture with you and helping away when you need it. I couldn’t believe to get so much attention. What I do appreciate is they are happy in their humility, simply they are happy!

I believe this kind of situation make you take a step back to think again about your life, who you are and the person you want to be. I understood one thing about mine. It feels like before I was not living the way I should have lived, the way I like to live. By this, I mean talking to everyone and anyone, helping without waiting for anything in return, just enjoying a present moment for what it is, not thinking about what it could bring back to me.I realized that more important than what traveling gives us out by moving around is what it can give us inside, within our mind and heart. This brought me many opportunities, the opportunity to know myself, the opportunity to be myself, and the chance to live for myself.

In Thailand, I have lived many adventures, many different and many never experienced before, I swam in its waterfalls, I jumped from the highest point of the canyon, I climbed its magnificent mountains, I danced in the festival of lights, I tried best meals and I have meditated in its countless temples. At this moment I realized that everything was real. Before, I thought that everything I just mentioned was only part of a dream, part of a different reality than mine. But finally, things that I was doing and things that I was feeling, are now part of a new life for me. It became part of my reality, and that changed my life, I was still the same person in the same body but with a different mind, now able to understand that the best teaching of life is when you live.I thought the life of a traveler was easy, full of adventures, fun and beautiful places to see. And I have to admit that I pictured a wrong idea of backpacking.

My life in Peru, although excellent, was everything except an adventurous day. All was planned, work, meetings, meals, friends, parties, etc. I knew when, where and how it would happen, with no place for risk or unknown. Instead, as a traveler, I did not know what would happen the next day, where I'll go, where I'll eat, who I’ll meet, and even if I'll be safe or not. But all is part of the ‘package’ I signed off when I took the challenge, accepted the terms and conditions which don’t exist …

I have no regret at all, even tough I wondered why I didn’t do it before, what stopped me. I can’t find the answer, but it won’t have any impact on me now to move on. Because it is never too late to take the right decision, never too late to assume new challenge, because my time is now! Not before or after, I’m living now.I would have loved to live much longer in Thailand, that every day is a new adventure, but that wasn't in the plans, the plan was to conquer new places and assume new challenges, so with great sadness, I had to leave a part of my dream in Thailand, go and look for another challenge without thinking more.

I met the sunrise from the highest point of the temple in Myanmar, I get carried away in tubing for the great river in Laos, I bathed in mud in the caves of Vietnam, I follow the path of the great and historic temples of Angkor in Cambodia, I explored the depth of beaches in Indonesian, and in the Philippines I let myself be enchanted by the beauty of its islands.Before the trip, I thought that it would be difficult to start. Now, I understand how hard it is when you have to end it. And I’m not ready for that! I’m not ready to leave something that is now begun to be part of my life. I have learned so much from people who spent many years backpacking; they have been for me an incredible inspiration and a way to know that I want to stay on this path, where I always wanted to be, where I always should have been. A path where I am the person I want to be! The best things end sometimes, they said, but if I'm just starting out, is it ending now?

I’m now one week away to end this trip in Asia. I am back in Chiang Mai, the place where everything started, this great country which gave me the opportunity to face my challenge and start my adventure. I’m here sitting by forty-three degrees with my bottle of water in one hand, writing this story on the other, a story I had the opportunity to live, and the opportunity to share with you today, trying to find the right words, trying to find a good ending.

It’s been now eleven months since I started my trip. I spent five of them in Asia, and all this time I realized that I was wrong. At some point of the journey, I felt completely happy because I told myself, that I was conquering the world, by visiting places, meeting people, learning about cultures and life … But I had forgotten the most important thing; I conquered myself. I conquered my fears leaving everything for nothing; I conquered my dreams to make them the reality. I went over the limited way we used to see and think things. But all over I conquered my heart because now I don’t do whatever I want but I want all I do, and that's one of the most beautiful feelings that the traveling had given to me.

'I would say one quote is a good definition of the way I'm traveling :Sometimes I need to go off on my own. I'm not sad. I'm not angry. I'm just recharging my batteries.'

Viola and Miky : 'Finally we found a place where it is possible for young people like us, to enjoy the life and think about the future. Traveling without making plans just following the good mood, meeting people with different stories, cultures and languages, learning a non native language, leaving without comfort when your car become your house, ... But at the end everyday give us something more for your life, it is like a little treasure you have to save. So take care, enjoy traveling and ... follow the sun !' Caroline : 'Everything changed for me since I am in Australia. I hadn't the same life in France. Here I feel more free to do what I need in my life to be happy. If I feel bad somewhere, I am not afraid to go somewhere else and this way I learnt a lot about myself. I am traveling on my own and I am very proud of this because it is hard sometimes but I always met such great people. I feel like I am 20 years old!'

I met Anne and Nico the last day of their long journey in Australia. Anne spent 2 years in Australia and Nico one year and half. Each of them wanted to share with me a different story. Anne : 'Australia … What a good country to meet someone you will love forever… I’m joking ! We met in Margaret River, best place to stay for a year and discover the Australian lifestyle. Good walk, good beaches, no one, good wine, good experiences …' Nico : Nico wrote a poem. I unfortunately can’t translate it in English in order to not misrepresent the meaning and each word he chose. French speakers, this is for you. "A l’orée de tes jours Me voilà sac à dos $ Respirant l’avenir d’amour Nourrissant l’envie de mes mots J’arrive à Perth et reste Deux jours sans respirer Et des poussées à retraite L’aventure nous inspire La routine s’installe Et les rencontres se mêlent D’un coup je croise tes sommeils Alors nos rêves d’un râle Nous promettent le voyage Comme si sur ta vague La lumière sans ombrage Guidait nos pressages"

Pascal bought this car 600$AU few days ago in Perth from a french guy met in the hostel. As it is hard to find a job in Perth at this moment, they are now going together to Margaret River to find a job.

‘My mum offered me this Ukulélé before I left home. I didn’t know how to play but I took it with me and here I’m taking some time during the day to practice. I hope when I will be back home I could play with my brother who has already one.'

I remember, Philipp couldn't find a job in Perth. He finally applied and got the White Card to work for the construction industry and few days after he got a job. In the same week, he got an other job, so he left the first one to go to a farm.

Philipp :
'I want to get good moments here, meeting great persons and having nice experiences...

The time in the One World Backpacker was very great I will never forget the people I met there ! I want to travel in a car up to the north where it is warm I need temperatures over 25 degrees. So I want to earn some money in the south for my car. Working as a farmer allow me to get a lot... I work daily over 13hours.'